Print Control Program, Print Control Method, and Printing System for Saving More Resources Than a Function Selected Prior to the Input Operation

1. A print control program embodied in a non-transitory computer readable recording medium for making an information processor control a printer connected to the information processor, the information processor having a display, the printer having first and second functions of different kinds, the second function being capable of contributing to resource savings, the program comprising: a first step to wait for a user to perform an input operation to request confirmation of settings, and to display a main setting window at a front of the display of the information processor, the main setting window receiving the input operation to change the settings when the user requests the confirmation of the settings; a second step to display a resource saving function selection window at the front of the display of the information processor when the information processor detects the input operation, the window displaying, after erasing the main setting window, a selector image and a start decider image, the selector image enabling the user to select a function for saving more resources than a function selected prior to the input operation for the second function, the start decider image enabling the user to decisively instruct the processor to start printing by the printer; and a third step to make the printer start printing according to the second function when the user manipulates the start decider image to decisively instruct the information processor to start printing by the printer, wherein in the second step, the program displays in the resource saving function selection window the selector image which enables the user to select the second function for saving more resources as compared to the first function selected via the main setting window.

2. The print control program as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the resource saving function selection window displayed in the second step shows: a printing condition display area showing a printing condition when the second function is performed; a resource saving result display area showing a result of the resource savings achieved in the printing; an area for reducing the number of sheets of printing paper, in which the user can set at least one function that can contribute to the resource savings by reducing the number of sheets of printing paper used for the printing; an area for the reduction in the amount of colorant, in which the user can set another function that can contribute to the resource savings by reducing the amount of colorant such as toner or ink used for the printing; and the start decider image which enables the user to decisively instruct the processor to start printing.

3. The print control program as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the information processor further has a memory unit, the program further comprising a fourth step to store in the memory unit, after the processor is decisively instructed to start the printing in the third step, updated information showing a resource saving result.

4. The print control program as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the resource saving function selection window displayed in the second step further shows an image indicating a reduction in the number of sheets of printing paper used by the printer.

5. The print control program as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the resource saving function selection window displayed in the second step further shows an image indicating a reduction in the amount of colorant used by the printer.

6. The print control program as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the resource saving function selection window displayed in the second step further shows an image indicating a reduction in the amount of colorant used by the printer.

7. The print control program as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second function is an aggregate printing function for aggregating a plurality of print pages into one side of a sheet of printing paper, a double-side print function, or a monochromatic printing function.

8. A print control method for controlling a printer by means of an information processor connected to the printer, the information processor having a display, the printer having first and second functions of different kinds, the second function being capable of contributing to resource savings, the method comprising: a first step to wait for a user to perform an input operation to request confirmation of settings, and to display a main setting window at a front of the display of the information processor, the main setting window receiving the input operation to change the settings when the user requests the confirmation of the settings; a second step to display a resource saving function selection window at the front of the display of the information processor when the information processor detects the input operation, the window displaying, after erasing the main setting window, a selector image and a start decider image, the selector image enabling the user to select a function for saving more resources than a function selected prior to the input operation for the second function, the start decider image enabling the user to decisively instruct the processor to start printing by the printer; and a third step to make the printer start printing according to the second function when the user manipulates the start decider image to decisively instruct the information processor to start printing by the printer, wherein in the second step, the program displays in the resource saving function selection window the selector image which enables the user to select the second function for saving more resources as compared to the first function selected via the main setting window.

9. The print control method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the resource saving function selection window displayed in the second step shows: a printing condition display area showing a printing condition when the second function is performed; a resource saving result display area showing a result of the resource savings achieved in the printing; an area for reducing the number of sheets of printing paper, in which the user can set at least one function that can contribute to the resource savings by reducing the number of sheets of printing paper used for the printing; an area for the reduction in the amount of colorant in which the user can set another function that can contribute to the resource savings by reducing the amount of colorant such as toner or ink used for the printing; and the start decider image which enables the user to decisively instruct the processor to start printing.

10. The print control method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the information processor further has a memory unit, the method further comprising a fourth step to store in the memory unit, after the processor is decisively instructed to start the printing in the third step, updated information showing how the functions are used.

11. The print control method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the resource saving function selection window displayed in the second step further shows an image indicating how a function relating to the reduction in the number of sheets of printing paper used by the printer is used.

12. The print control method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the resource saving function selection window displayed in the second step further shows an image indicating how a function relating to the reduction in the amount of colorant used by the printer is used.

13. The print control method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the resource saving function selection window displayed in the second step further shows an image indicating how a function relating to the reduction in the amount of colorant used by the printer is used.

14. The print control method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the second function is an aggregate printing function for aggregating a plurality of print pages into one side of a sheet of printing paper, a double-side print function, or a monochromatic printing function.

15. A printing system comprising: a printer for forming an image on a sheet of paper by means of printing based on print data; an information processor connected to the printer; and a program storage unit in which the print control program as claimed in claim 1 is stored.